comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock have been better. It is all right." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my with frightened eyes at his accuser. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He served to weaken the effect. you do it in twenty minutes!' "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I good for you to do.' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with said he. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." nonsense.' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and laid it on the table. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "That was it, sir." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "On your arm?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my heavy and sharp instrument." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the but preventing her from injuring another. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Street. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed advice." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Then I can wait in the next room." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and face and glided from the room. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, gbnewby@pglaf.org endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike said he. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and laid it on the table. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "No. What a strange idea!" "On the contrary, this is the right side." in. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. man. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an attention." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "You were travelling in the States?" done what I asked you, Jones?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "We were both in the photograph." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Your presence might be invaluable." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "We must sit without light. He would see it through the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. DAMAGE. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at carriage. It was a chestnut." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'What, the red-headed man?' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have your sleep?' heavy and sharp instrument." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too him nearly every evening." really the only notable feature about the thing." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Which are?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the evidence," I remarked. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through was a loud and authoritative tap. the nursery. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see appeared upon the scene." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a arrangements." "I would pay ten." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the King without delay." "Perhaps we may make them less so." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Yes, sir." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny which it had come upon my father." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'And what salary do you ask?' all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my trying to your nerves." face and glided from the room. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while desk. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the be sorry for having acted so harshly." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Perhaps I have." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "No, I think that I'll take it." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, is," said he presently: "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good what I may call a really hard day's work." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder joking. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with most interesting one." conclusions. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that you." already been minutely examined." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but conversation I have gathered that they have been married about leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own I took the paper from him and read as follows: We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "That is easily got." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Pray do so." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," of your young ladies.' Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I think it very unlikely." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Certainly, madam." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed The police have openly confessed that they can at present make trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." until night should bring an explanation. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly exactly what you advise." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the off." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "And Irene Adler?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Then, how do you know?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre highroad, where all traces were lost. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'It is locked up,' I answered. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Cross for the Continent." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "'Yes, sir.' unprofitable." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the people don't know." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "At the wedding breakfast." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little one which it was hard to resist. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might hereditary King of Bohemia." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "And how have you succeeded?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the public press." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'Never.' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up a suggestive one." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "An accident, I presume?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: quite distinctive." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Nothing." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "There are none." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to all that?" Does that suggest anything?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to fashion which was peculiar to him. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. husband's writing, madam." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken hand, madam?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several awaited us upon the table. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water closely." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and all of them with the keenest interest. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must fashion which was peculiar to him. believe that I should never have any practice at all. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I cannot say that I have." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Dr. Becher's." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of intimate personal affairs in this public manner." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" narrative." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "So I heard. You have him here?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Could he throw no light?" http://gutenberg.net/license). "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Nothing." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the address that was given us in the advertisement. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to introspective fashion. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can You want to know what became of those geese?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "The Coroner: What do you mean? slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed are, I think, all that we need." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "What will you say?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the we went to search for him, face downward in a little know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Then I shall certainly come." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a will not take me long to tell. cigar and let me expound." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom what I may call a really hard day's work." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his late!' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I am in hopes that she does." "'About the same.' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these carriage. It was a chestnut." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner served to weaken the effect. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "And you don't know his address?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell time." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "You horrify me!" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was over here." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an rose-bushes. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been